The formation of SAPA
Keeping up with the rapid pace of sport and ever-increasing governance and operational demands has been a perennial problem for the boards, executives and administrators of sporting organisations.
Having had the privilege of working at all levels of sport for decades, our team identified a need within the industry for a full-service sports advisory business that provides practical, commercial and enduring support.
What makes SAPA unique?
We pride ourselves on being genuine, long-term business partners for our clients. Whether we’re helping build their operational capacity as an extension of their in-house team, becoming trusted advisers on key issues, leading projects to review important areas of their sport or organisation, enabling them to deliver strategic objectives, or assisting in the development of strategic plans, we are committed to their success. We have walked in the shoes of our clients as CEOs, General Managers and in-house counsel, which enables us to align our interests with them and build trust quickly based on understanding the challenges they are facing and how to effectively navigate the unique sporting landscape.
Our direct experience in senior leadership positions in sport across strategy, commercial and legal allows our team to deliver practical and holistic support.
The key areas we specialise in are strategy, commercialisation, advocacy, legal, governance, integrity, regulatory, leadership and culture, and recruitment.
We also have the support of Burch&Co lawyers, a progressive corporate and commercial firm founded by Nich Burch, who has also been a driving force behind helping establish SAPA as a Non-Executive Director.
SAPA’s aim is to build enduring partnerships with our clients across multiple service offerings. We want them to feel as though we are truly an extension of their team, not external consultants.
SAPA’s DNA
Our Purpose
We provide quality and pragmatic support that enables sports and stakeholders to realise their potential.
Our Mission
SAPA’s mission is to empower our clients to make impactful decisions and build a better sports industry.
We are happy to stay in the background. Our focus is on protecting and advancing the interests of our clients.
We are also a business for purpose in terms of helping build a better industry, which we know will drive positive grassroots outcomes for our communities through the power of sport.
Our Values
As industry leaders, we are passionate about taking a values-based approach.
The behaviours linked to our SAPA’s core values help guide the operations of our business and our decision making both internally and externally:
- Play with passion;
- Take the game on;
- Be a team player;
- Play with integrity; and
- Enjoy the game.
Impact and Achievements
Since establishing SAPA, we have been fortunate to partner with a broad range of clients from professional clubs, NSOs and SSOs, as well as individuals, commercial brands and ancillary businesses within the sports industry. We are proud of the positive changes we have been able to deliver so far.
Click here to see some of our work to date.
Onwards and upwards
Our success so far has led to clients engaging SAPA to assist with strategic projects in a range of areas including developing organisational visions and strategic plans, and undertaking strategic reviews including across equalisation/player payments, umpiring, legal and governance, and rules and regulations.
We align with partners who share our vision and values to deliver on our strategic objectives and expand the support available directly through SAPA for our clients.
This approach will also enable SAPA to provide useful best practice insights, products and services to the industry in the future.